Fastening Element

ABSTRACT

A fastening element comprising two legs, the two legs being interconnected via a web, wherein at least one leg has at least one recess, wherein a disk is provided which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation in the web by means of a rotary element, the disk being designed such that, when rotating around the axis of rotation in a first position, it is arranged between the two legs and, in a second position, it protrudes in sections through the recess, the disk furthermore comprising at least one appendage which, when the disk rotates around the axis of rotation from the first position into the second position, is contacted with a leg prior to reaching the second position.

The present invention relates to a fastening element for a structural element. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly made up of a fastening element and a structural element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Application Number EP14157720.5, filed on Mar. 4, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, numerous possibilities of attaching large-area structural elements such as, e.g., cladding panels to a subsurface are known. Adhesive joints enable easy and quick fastening, but are inadequate for long-term stresses caused, for example, by wind. Conventional screw connections allow, in turn, a fastening between the structural elements and the subsurface which is very stable; however, the attachment of numerous screw connections is associated with a high expenditure of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has as its object to provide a fastening element which enables a very stable fastening with a structural element and allows quick fastening.

This object is accomplished by a fastening element comprising two legs, the two legs being interconnected via a web, wherein at least one leg has at least one recess, wherein a disk is provided which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation in the web by means of a rotary element, the disk being designed such that, when rotating around the axis of rotation in a first position, it is arranged between the two legs and, when rotating around the axis of rotation in a second position, it protrudes in sections through the recess, the disk furthermore comprising at least one appendage which, when the disk rotates around the axis of rotation from the first position into the second position, is contacted with a leg prior to reaching the second position.

In said fastening element, the two legs serve as bearing surfaces on the structural element. The structural element comprises a channel into which the fastening element is inserted with the two legs. By rotating the rotary element around the axis of rotation, the disk is brought from the first position into the second position. In doing so, the disk rotates around the axis of rotation and moves from the position between the legs into a position in which the disk protrudes at least into a recess and then protrudes with one section through the recess. Via the appendage in the disk, the former is made to abut on one of the legs when the disk rotates around the axis of rotation. If the rotary element is rotated further, the appendage gets braced with the leg, pushing it away from the axis of rotation. In this way, a frictional connection between the channel of the structural element and the fastening element is produced.

If the channel of the structural element is essentially form-fit with the two legs, the disk can either press a notch into the channel of the structural element if the material combination is appropriate (e.g., the channel is from a material which is softer than that of the disk). However, a notch may be provided in the channel of the structural element itself, into which notch the disk engages so that a displacement of the fastening element is thus additionally prevented. The inserted appendages in the disk prevent the disk from slipping in case the grooves in the legs are deeper due to higher tolerances during the manufacturing process and fail to provide an appropriate resistance against the slipping of the disk.

In a preferred embodiment variant, it is envisaged that the two legs each have at least one recess. In this way, it is possible that the disk is positionable in the first position between the two legs. By being twisted into the second position, the disk fills the recesses in sections and projects beyond the recess on both sides of the two legs.

Particularly preferably, it is envisaged that the disk comprises two appendages, each of which is contacted with one of the two legs prior to reaching the second position. A symmetrical force transmission from the fastening element to the structural element is thereby effected.

In one embodiment variant, it is envisaged that the disk is designed in an oval shape. For example, it may be designed in an elliptical shape. This is a simple and cost-efficient solution in order to design the disk such that, in the first position, it will remain between the legs and, in the second position, it will protrude through at least one recess.

The rotary element preferably comprises a cheese-head screw. Said screw preferably comprises a screw head drive in order to be able to perform a rotation around the axis of rotation, for example, with a screw driver or a wrench. It has proved to be practical if the rotary element is arranged in a guide rail.

In a simple and preferred embodiment variant, it is envisaged that the two legs are arranged essentially in parallel.

Furthermore, it may be envisaged that the web is arranged essentially at right angles to the two legs.

It may be envisaged that the two legs project beyond the web and each comprise a bearing section on the side opposite to the disk.

The fastening element may be coupled directly to the element to be installed. However, it may also be envisaged that the fastening element comprises a coupling section for the element to be installed. In this case, it may be envisaged that the coupling section is arranged on the rotary element. For example, the rotary element may comprise a cheese-head screw having a threaded section with which the element to be installed is attachable.

Furthermore, an assembly comprising a fastening element and a component with an essentially U-shaped channel, into which the fastening element can be inserted non-positively in the second position, is provided according to the invention.

In this assembly, it may be envisaged that, in the first position, the fastening element can be inserted essentially positively into the essentially U-shaped channel.

Hereinafter, the invention is explained in further detail by way of an example on the basis of figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a fastening element.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the fastening element.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 f show a top view (FIG. 3 a) and two side views (FIG. 3 b, 3 c) of the disk as well as the legs and the web of the fastening element in three views (3 d to 3 f).

FIGS. 4 to 9 show the gradual insertion of the fastening element into the channel of a structural element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 9 describe the individual elements as well as the individual steps for latching the fastening element within the channel of a structural element on the basis of a concrete example. Thus, all figures are described jointly, and it is self-evident that components having the same reference numerals in one figure will be the same components in another figure. For reasons of clarity, the indication of reference numerals has been omitted in some figures. All figures refer to the same example.

FIG. 1 shows the fastening element 2 comprising two legs 4, 6, which are interconnected via a web 8. The two legs 4, 6 have one recess 10, 12 each. Furthermore, a disk 14 is provided which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation 16 in the web 8 by means of a rotary element 22. The disk 14 is designed such that, when rotating around the axis of rotation 16 in a first position, it is arranged between the two legs 4, 6 (see in particular FIGS. 4 and 5) and, in a second position, it protrudes in sections through each of the two recesses 10, 12 (see in particular FIG. 7). Furthermore, the disk 14 comprises two appendages 18, 20 which, when the disk 14 rotates around the axis of rotation 16 from the first position into the second position, are contacted with the respective leg 4, 6 prior to reaching the second position (see FIG. 6). If the rotation continues, the appendages 18, 20 get braced with the legs 4, 6, pushing them outwards against the structural element 30. The structural element 30 comprises, on the one hand, a U-shaped channel 32, into which the fastening element 2 is insertable, and, on the other hand, notches 34, 36 for the disk 14.

The two legs 4, 6 are arranged essentially in parallel. The web 8 is arranged essentially at right angles to the two legs 4, 6. The two legs 4, 6 project beyond the web 8. Furthermore, the legs 4, 6 each comprise a bearing section 24, 26 on the side opposite to the disk 14. The two legs 4, 6 form an essentially H-shaped section with the web 8.

The disk 14 is designed in an oval, namely elliptical shape. The two appendages 18, 20 are designed as right circular cylinders. The height of those circular cylinders is arranged in parallel to the axis of rotation 16.

As can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 9, the rotary element 22 comprises a cheese-head screw. The rotary element 22 is arranged partly in a guide rail.

The fastening element 2 comprises a coupling section 28 which is arranged on the rotary element 22.

FIGS. 4 to 9 demonstrate as to how an assembly according to the invention is provided in that the fastening element 2 is inserted into the structural element 30 with a U-shaped channel 32. By rotating the rotary element 22, the disk 14 is braced with the legs via the appendages 18, 20 so that the legs will move away from the axis of rotation and will form a positive fit and a frictional connection with the channel 32.

The fastening element can be formed from materials which are adapted to the respective requirement. For example, it may comprise metal such as aluminum, in which case the web and the legs will preferably be extruded. The rotary element 22 may likewise consist of metal, for example, steel or aluminum. The structural element may, for example, be an ornamental element made, e.g., of concrete, or a functional element such as, for example, a solar collector. 

1. A fastening element comprising two legs, the two legs being interconnected via a web, wherein at least one leg has at least one recess, wherein a disk is provided which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation in the web by means of a rotary element, the disk being designed such that, when rotating around the axis of rotation in a first position, it is arranged between the two legs and, in a second position, it protrudes in sections through the recess, the disk furthermore comprising at least one appendage which, when the disk rotates around the axis of rotation from the first position into the second position, is contacted with a leg prior to reaching the second position.
 2. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the two legs each have at least one recess.
 3. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein in the second position, the disk protrudes in sections through recesses of both legs.
 4. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the disk comprises two appendages, each of which is contacted with one of the two legs prior to reaching the second position.
 5. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the disk is designed in an oval shape.
 6. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the rotary element comprises a cheese-head screw.
 7. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein two legs are arranged essentially in parallel.
 8. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the web is arranged essentially at right angles to the two legs.
 9. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the rotary element is arranged in a guide rail.
 10. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the two legs project beyond the web and comprise a bearing section on the side opposite to the disk.
 11. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the two legs form an essentially H-shaped section with the web.
 12. A fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element comprises a coupling section.
 13. A fastening element according to claim 12, wherein the coupling section is arranged on the rotary element.
 14. An assembly comprising a fastening element and a component with an essentially U-shaped channel, into which the fastening element can be inserted non-positively in the second position.
 15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein, in the first position, the fastening element can be inserted essentially positively into the essentially U-shaped channel. 